Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-11-17
THE DROP SPRUNG.
FOUR ANARCHISTS HANGED.
Two Go TO Joliet for Life. dngs
Suicides.

AnO uSSAsioh VI NOf. OBieooy was tne nnti
step, on part Of the State, in fixing the fate Of
the condemned men, They all received the
news stoidly, and kept cool until the last.
The news was sent to the relatives Of all
the condemned men, and In a short time they
began to arrive at the Jail The first of the
women to come was Mrs. schwab. Soon
after Schwab was brought from his cell to
the main Office. His wife quickly advanced
to him, and, throwing her arms about his
neck, burst into tears Schwab returned the
embrace in calm manner, and soon the two
were chatting quietly together. After this
Spies and Fischer were brought from their
cells and taken to the jail library. Engel
was brought TO the private Office of Mr..
Folz This was done for the purpose Of al
lowing the relatives to take their last inter-
views. The first one of the women to arrive
after Mrs Sehwab was Miss Engel, the
daughter of the condemned Anarchist. When
the two met in the private Office there was an
outburst Of grief which it is impossible to
describe Father and daughter clung to each
other and sobbed convulsively, Their con-
versation was in German and listened to only
by Deputy 0leson. Then came Mrs. Spies,
the mother of August. She had been waiting
outside for an hour and half. Her sobs
could be heard through the corridors of the
building. She did not stay long in the library
with her son, and on her exit from the Jail
Mrs. Fischer was admitted. She went into
the library and her lamentations were heard
above the tramp Of the deputies who swarmed
about the place.
But the crowning scene of all was the visit
of Nina Van Zandt, the proxy wife of Spies.
She was conducted to the Library by Deputy
0leson. As she walked through the main
Office she betrayed no emotion. The moment
at which shesaw August however, completely
changed her demeanor There was look,
then gasp, and in trice the lovers were in
each others arms A bevy Of curious re-
porters aad officers crowded up to the door Of
the library, but it was quickly shut by the
deputy. The interview between the prisoner
and his faithful devotee lasted nearly half an
hour. What actually transpirei will never
be known to the world, but it.was sufficisut to
bring glimmer of tears to the eyes Of the
old deputy, In half an hour the lovers had
parted, and the excitement of the entrance Of
Nina had passed.
THEIR LAST MEAL.
All ordered beefsteak, coffee, bread and
butter, but Parsons, who expressed desire
for raw oysters, fried eggs and milk toast.
ALI of them ate heartily. Parsons especially
cleared everything before him and asked for
plate of fried oysters. They were quickly
procured, and as quickly put out OF sight
When the prisoners had finished their last
meal touching letter Of farewell signed by
Fielden and Schawb, part being in the hand
writing of each man, was brought down by
the turnkey. 1t was passed in to Spies, then
in turn to Parsons, Engel and
Fischer. DIR. Gray, the physician
Of the Jail, arrived at 7.S0 and
visited each man. A few minutes
later Rev, H. W, Bolton, pastor
of the, First Methodist church, ar
rived at the court yard door and asked to
be permitted to talk with the condemned
He had been with them up to II o'clock last
night, but had encountered cool treatment
from all, who remained passive, and allowed
the man of God to talk. Whether Or not the
efforts to direct their minds to things spiritual
was successful is an open question.
At $40 the sheriff directed cne of the turn
keys to ask the men whether they wanted
any stimulants This was done, but all de-
clined except Engel, who expressed desire
for port wine. A bottle was procured and he
emptied three large WINE glasses filled to the
brim. Spies ceased his writing long enough
to light cigar, crossed his legs and then re-
sumed his work. He sat in an attitude OF
extreme ease There was a self satisfied look
upon his face as his pen flew over the pages
and as he blew the smoke Of his cigar into
wreaths, he looked more like contented and
happy business man in his office than 9
criminal, whose sands of life were nearly
run out.
THE LAST SCENE,
At 11:23 the Sheriff commenced reading ths
death warrant to Spies, who listened without
saving word. Three minutes later tn,
Sheriff shook hands with him and bade hin
good bye. Spies was strapped while the war
rant was being read to Fischer. While th
shroud was being put on Spies he looked pal
and haggard, and asked to have the stral
loosened, which was done.
The warrant was then read to Engel ant
Parsons, and in a few moments all were il
their shrouds, standing at the grated door
and saying adieux to friends in the visitors
cage.
At twelve minutes after eleven o'clock, th
condemned men partook Of final lunch. A
this point report gained currency that th
Sheriff was holding Off until the last momen
in expectation that something would be hear
from Springfield. Suddenly the face Of Del
uty Gleason was seen at the entrance of th
corridor leading to the scaffold. His fac
was white and he was trembling in ever
limb. He raised his hand in token that tl
moment had arrived. The shutting Of fet
was heard in the corridor. 1t was II 40 to I'll
minute Sheriff Matson appeared, his bac
to the gathering, facing the procession. SPIT
next came into view, broad -shouldered bal
liff on his right side, then came Fischer, an
last, Engel.
As the three stepped from the second til
of cells to the scaffold, the spectators drew
long breath, Parsons is saved" was I'll
word that went around, but it was not to b
A second later and Parsons appeared, an
/ kIa fo1.. .xrNkx1 v,1a aaoI k,o,